Identification of bearing failure in composite-aluminium bolted joints using digital image correlation

The quasistatic failure of composite-aluminium bolted joints is investigated experimentally using the stereo Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. Single-shear, two-bolt lap made carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates and aluminium plates are subjected to tensile load while being monitored stereo-DIC. measured displacements processed by removing outliers Grubbs test reducing noise exploiting symmetries specimen geometry. development Gauss curvature across CFRP computed from DIC displacement data, a sudden onset in vicinity bolts observed as precursor bearing failure. Fractographs cross-sections partially failed near confirm compressive damage source this localised curvature. We conclude that stereo-DIC useful non-contact measurement initiation.